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The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
From giving goldfish their own tanks to barking dogs – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. 4 Q) I HAVE three goldfish. Swimster and Bubbles bully Gillbert. They share a big tank. Should I consider giving Gillbert his own tank? Sarah Cooke, Plymstock, Devon A) Are they really bullying Gilbert? Is this a sudden thing that's started recently? If your goldfish are of age then perhaps spring has sprung and Gilbert is in fact Gilbertina, and her tailshake is bringing all the boys to the yard? If they have a big tank and plenty of places to swim away from one another or hide when needed then I would say keep them together. Fish feel more secure in shoals. Look up breeding behaviour and signs in goldfish and come back to me with an update. I think this is more likely than bullying. Q) PLEASE can you help us with our 18-month-old Cockapoo, Jed. He was given back to his breeder by his original owners at four months old because their work commitments changed. I'm a property expert, here are the five key things when moving with a pet We got him a month later, so he's had a bit of an unsettled start. He's a really good dog in every way other than barking in the garden at the neighbours, passing cats or when he hears other dogs bark. I'm worried they are getting annoyed. I've resorted to keeping him on his lead in the garden first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If I don't, he runs along the fences, barking. But on his lead, he doesn't bark at all. He's obsessed with me, thinks I'm the best thing ever. Perhaps when he's on the lead, he feels safe? He's booked in to be neutered at the end of May. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Gemma Stone, Leeds A) Without observing him in action it's difficult to say what the motivation for this behaviour is, and hard to give advice on tackling it. There are many reasons for barking, including anxiety, territoriality, excitement, boredom and so on. And it may be different on different days and with different triggers. I would highly recommend a qualified animal behaviourist observing you and Jed in action together and working through what's going on. It always surprises me how much money dog owners are willing to spend on food, grooming, toys, leads and accessories but flinch at the cost of a behaviourist consultation. They are worth their weight in gold. Trust me on this — hire one and thank me later. Q) I'M due to emigrate to Cyprus in the next few weeks . . . But I'm really worried that my cat Mika will be very scared on the plane trip. She is three years old but doesn't like other people and hides when they visit our house. I am using a reputable company but I'm still concerned over the four- hour trip. Am I worrying too much? David Potter, Brierley Hill, West Midlands A) It's natural to worry about this, and to worry too much. The company you have chosen will have done this many times and will know how to keep Mika as calm as possible throughout. You could speak with your vet about calming supplements, sprays and so on to take the edge off the journey too. We tend not to recommend sedative drugs for pets in transit any more as they cannot be monitored. Indeed, most airlines won't allow them. If this is the one plane journey she has to make for four hours in her entire life, then it's worth taking and allowing her time to recover in a safe environment when you land. She'll have forgotten about it in a few days, all being well. Star of the week ARTIE the miniature Cavapoo has been hailed a hero after she helped detect her owner's breast cancer. The three-year-old has been given an award for being an amazing pup by Pets At Home. 4 Owner Suzanne Nuttall, 62, of Sheffield, South Yorks, said: 'She was frantically licking and nuzzling into me. 'It was only after a routine mammogram revealed I had Stage 2 breast cancer that I realised she must have sensed something was wrong. 'I truly believe she was trying to tell me. She's been my little lifesaver.' Amy Angus of Pets Foundation, the charity established by Pets At Home, said: 'Our pets are capable of amazing things, and Artie is a testament to this.' WIN: AI pet companion WANT to communicate with your pet and even give it treats when you aren't at home? Now you can with the ROLA Petpal AI Robot Pet Companion. You can programme it to dispense treats at set times, see and speak to your four-legged friend in real time on camera, play with them remotely, and your pet can even say 'hello' to you too! For a chance to win one worth £269, send an email headed PETPAL to sundaypets@ by June 15. See enabot. com. T&Cs apply. RECORD BREAKERS JOIN GUINNESS' PET-SET GUINNESS World Records celebrates its 70th birthday this year with a special edition featuring record-breaking pets. The world's tallest living dog Reginald, a seven-year-old Great Dane from Idaho Falls, USA, has just met the world's shortest mutt – a four-year-old Chihuahua from Florida called Pearl. 4 Reggie stands at 1,007cm, while Pearl is just 9.14cm. Further records include Bonnie, a five-year-old Spaniel, and Simba, a three-year-old Border Collie, both from Reading. They have four: the fastest time for ten side leapfrog jumps by two dogs (16.78 seconds), and three one-minute records. These are bottles put in a recycling bin (16); coins into a bottle (13) and clothes hung on a washing line (17). Mr Pugsley Adams, a two-year-old Maine Coon from Minnesota, USA, has the longest tail on a domestic cat at 46.99cm. The fastest 10 metres skateboarded by a cat is held by Bao Zi, a two-year-old American Shorthair from China (12.85 seconds). Coco, a five-year-old guinea pig from Carolina performed the most tricks in a minute (16). While the most items identified by a parrot in three minutes goes to four-year-old Apollo from Florida, who named 12.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
From a poodle with an odd peeing ritual to best reptile for kids – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. 4 Q: MY female dog Petra cocks her leg like a boy when she pees. She's a poodle. Is she an oddball? Shaun Spencer, Burnley, Lancs Sean says: It's not that unusual, really. I see it quite often and generally it's nothing to worry about. Some female dogs just develop the habit of going that way. Others might want to save their undercarriage from getting wet or cold. Some may even have more naturally occurring testosterone than others, which can drive the behaviour. And despite what recent court rulings have suggested, biological female versus biological male are not always clearly defined in the mammal kingdom. I have heard of some cases where a dog is intersex and has both male and female internal equipment. If Petra is straining to urinate or going more often than normal, get her checked out. Otherwise, accept it as a quirk. I'm a property expert, here are the five key things when moving with a pet Q: WHAT is a good starter reptile for children? I have a ten-year-old son Ollie and he's been asking forever to have a snake or lizard. He's sensible. What do you recommend? Kyle Brown, Exmouth, Devon Sean says: The honest answer is there's no perfect choice, because reptiles are pets which require a fair degree of understanding, research, expensive equipment and housing — regardless of species. So I always say if a child wants one, their parents/guardians need to want one, too. It's going to be down to the adult to make sure all of the animal's needs are being met. Saying that, the top four list of species that are robust and suitable for this arrangement include corn snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos and crested geckos. Q: HOW do I know if my dog is too fat? Bob is a labrador cross and he is a bit barrel-like. He loves his food and my kids always give him snacks. Does he need to be put on a diet? Someone said you should see the ribs — is that true? Derek Peters, Brighton Sean says: There is a great technique that lets you get hands on to assess any breed of dog called body condition scoring. It looks at three key areas — the ribs, belly and waist — to check if your dog is overweight, underweight or just right. Your vet team can also help you set a target weight for Bob, as even among pedigree Labradors there are all shapes and sizes, let alone with cross breeds. Search for 'body condition scoring on YouTube — you'll find some videos I've made on this topic. This has just made me realise that I have certainly crept up in the body condition score department since I started working at — with a few more grey hairs to boot! Q: I'VE always wanted a pot-bellied pig. Do you think they would make a good pet? Can they be house trained? Sam Bryant, Skegness, Lincs Sean says: Being brutally honest, they make terrible pets for most people, and many who insist on getting one live to regret their decision as they didn't fully understand the commitment, space and care required. Pigs are social animals so you need at least two. They are clean animals, but they dig up and trample the ground so they need a lot of it to prevent their enclosure becoming a muddy quagmire, especially in winter. They also don't toilet train well, so prepare for accidents if they are indoors. Unless you have a smallholding and serious dedication, they are not a great idea as house pets. Star of the week TAYLOR the Labrador has helped his owner to inspire others – and even run her first marathon. The Rev Melissa Carter, 44, a visually impaired runner from Dover, raised money for Guide Dogs, as the three-year-old pup is her fourth dog from the charity as well as her exercise buddy. Rev Carter, of the diocese of Canterbury, who ran this year's London Marathon in just over five hours said: 'Having Taylor has given me the confidence to go out, work and live life to the full.' She joined her local Snap Fitness in August 2024 to help her train using the motto: 'One step at a time.' Manager Max Brunetti-Leach said: 'Her determination is an inspiration.' WIN: Dog dental kit GIVE your furry friend something to smile about with Plaqtiv+. It's hard to get started with a teeth cleaning regime but keeping on top of oral hygiene with your dog or cat can help avoid health problems. We have five sets of Plaqtiv+ products, worth £65 each, to give away including vanilla and mint-scented oral spray, dental wipes, water additive and toothpaste. To enter, send an email titled Plaqtiv+ to: sundaypets@ by June 15. See T&Cs apply. PROTECT PETS FROM SUN'S HARMFUL RAYS OWNERS are being urged to protect their pets from the sun in a bid to prevent skin cancer. It comes after harmful rays caused the disease in seven-year-old cat Gracie, who then had to have her ears amputated. 4 If Gracie hadn't had her op, the cancer could have spread and claimed her life. Following treatment, she has now been rehomed. Charities Cats Protection and the RSPCA are warning readers their four-legged friends are also at risk of sunburn and heatstroke. Nikki Butcher, co-ordinator at Cats Protection Bracknell and Wokingham, said: 'We see too many cats suffering from the effects of sun damage and it can be easily prevented. 'Hopefully, Gracie's story will make more pet owners aware of the risks of the sun and save other cats from losing their ears.' Dominika Jagoda, from the RSPCA, added: 'You can use pet-safe sun cream on exposed skin, such as the ears or nose, especially on those with white or light-coloured fur and pale skin, to avoid sunburn.' Cats Protection advises keeping pets indoors between 10am and 3pm, when it's hottest, and providing plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
From a cat who likes walkies to a horse being bitten – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. 4 Q) MY three-year-old cat Brian likes going for walkies. He follows me on my two-mile morning walk across fields just like a dog. I have tried to discourage him but he is stubborn, and locking him in doesn't seem fair. He insists on tagging along. Is that normal? Mikey Scott, Plymouth, Devon A) It is normal for some cats, yes, though I agree it's a bit more like dog behaviour. But every pet is different, with their own quirks and eccentricities. I don't see a big problem here as long as he is not being exposed to the danger of roads or being out in the open with nowhere to run if an aggressive off-lead dog caught sight of him for example. It's a wonderful way for you and Brian to bond. Q) WHAT can I do to prevent the discolouration on the fur of my white poodle Misty where her eyes run? I'm a property expert, here are the five key things when moving with a pet I've had her eyes checked and they are fine. Maggie Peters, Birmingham A) This is very common in white dogs and Poodles, Bichons, Maltese, as well as in breeds with shorter skulls or protruding eyes such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu and so on. The reddish-brown discoloration is caused by a compound in tears called porphyrin. It leaves a stain on the coat if there is an excess of tears or prolonged contact time. It is usually due to the tear duct not draining the eye of tears as efficiently as it could, resulting in tears spilling over the eyelids onto the face. Wipes and products can be used to clean the hair around the eyes regularly and dissolve the stains. Q) I DREAD summer as every year Molly, my horse, suffers with horse fly bites. I shield her head and body with a net or coverings, use fly deterrent and bring her in early in the evenings when they are most active. There is no dung nearby or stagnant water. But her grazing is near a river which I think doesn't help. Last year I tried citronella shampoo which helped a bit. Is there any other preventative treatment I can try? Sarah Steel, Lincoln A) I can feel your frustration and concern. If there is one creature in the entire world that gives me the heebie jeebies it is horse flies. You are doing virtually all the right things. Light-coloured rugs, nets and clothing are advised as the insects are attracted to large dark objects. I might look into changing her grazing to be far away from the river, as aquatic environments tend to attract more biting insects, and horse flies in particular need boggy, marshy ground and water courses to complete their lifecycle. Q) HOW often should ferrets be bathed? My husband has two — Pepper and Pickles — and he says brushing is more important than bathtime as it keeps them healthy and prevents hairballs. But I'm not so sure. Kim Greenwood, Carlisle A) There's no right or wrong answer here. Some owners bathe their ferrets regularly to tackle their distinctive odour, whereas some love the aroma and never bathe them. Your husband is correct in that brushing will probably do more to prevent them ingesting moulting hair and potentially developing hairballs, which can be very serious, even fatal. You can also get hairball reduction paste from your vet clinic which can be very useful in spring and autumn when ferrets heavily moult. Star of the week MANCHESTER puss Egg was dubbed 'grumpy cat', but has undergone a personality transplant after being rescued. Two-year-old Egg was known for her prickly demeanour, steely glare, and staunch refusal to tolerate cuddles, claw clipping, or any form of grooming. 4 But now, thanks to the patience and love of her new owners and a new calming supplement she's purr-fectly content and loves pamper sessions. Owner marine biologist Jeni Sage, 35, of Manchester, said: 'She's gone from a cat who would hiss and hide at the first hint of affection, to one that curls up next to me on the sofa for a cuddle. 'It's been such a heartwarming journey.' WIN: Portable pet washing device THE award-winning Mud Daddy Portable Washing Device is perfect for cleaning your pets – even horses! The eco-friendly and efficient design uses water pressure instead of a motor. We have two Mud Daddy 8 Litre Portable Washing Device Bundles worth over £155 each to giveaway. To enter send an email headed MUD DADDY to sundaypets@ by June 1. Visit T&C's apply. BUSHY MOGGIES ARE MAINE ATTRACTION MAINE Coons are the country's favourite cat, Pets4Homes has revealed. The laidback moggies were the most searched for kitties of the past year, followed by Savannah, Oriental, Siberian and Siamese. It comes after Goldendoodles were revealed to be the most popular dog for the third year in a row. Famous owners of Maine Coons include rapper Megan Thee Stallion and actors Jessica Alba and John Cleese. Axel Lagercrantz, CEO at Pets4 said: 'The popularity of exotic cats like the Maine Coon shows how we're thinking about pets as a way to make a statement. 'These breeds are more than just companions – they are unique, striking creatures that serve as conversation starters. 'The Maine Coon, with its majestic size and bushy tail, speaks to the growing trend of selecting pets that not only have personality but also stand out visually.' A number of Maine Coons have also gone viral on Instagram, due to their striking appearance including gentle giant Zeus, who has 423,000 followers and Mr ViVo, who has 477,000 followers.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
From building a wildlife pond to rabbits in hot weather – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. 4 Q) I WANT to create a wildlife pond this summer. Someone told me not to have fish in it, is that true? Should I buy tadpoles to start, and is there anything you recommend to make it a success? JOHN BARRATT, Sheffield Sean says: A wildlife pond is a wonderful thing! Definitely no fish as they tend to eat smaller creatures, therefore damaging the precious ecosystem that develops in a small pond. You don't need to introduce frogs, newts or their tadpoles. If the habitat is right to support them, they will arrive under their own steam in time. It can take a few years, but putting them into an unestablished pond is not a good idea. It may not be able to support them, but also amphibians are threatened by disease. Moving frogspawn around can introduce disease. Make sure you have shallow sides, a gravel 'beach zone' and plenty of places where animals can climb in and out. Use native aquatic plants only. Half of pet owners believe animals are hidden support network Q) MY daughter Chrissie keeps being woken up in the early hours by her four cats. They sleep in the kitchen at night, but one, The General, is a Maine Coon who can open doors, windows and even get treats from a cupboard. At 4am he opens the kitchen door and he and the other three go up to Chrissie's bedroom and jump on her to let them out for a while. If The General can't get the door open they all headbutt it. All the cats are healthy. Any advice to help her get some sleep? GINA MCFEETERS, Newtownards, Co. Down Sean says: My first suggestion is to limit their access to her bedroom and door. That could be by locking the kitchen door at night, or any other doors in between. Let's not just think about preventing such behaviour, but about what's motivating it. It could be boredom, or a routine to get outdoors early. Another solution is a cat flap so they can come and go as they please from kitchen to garden, or into an outdoor cat aviary, or 'catio'. Q) AS the weather gets hotter, should I shield my rabbits from the sun? Fluffy and Whiskers love basking in it. They have their hutch for shade but should I give them additional shade too? They have a run at the end of the garden, which is secure, and they freeflow during the day. But I put them into their hutch at night in case of foxes. SARAH CASTLE, Bridgwater, Somerset Sean says: I often watch wild rabbits soaking up the sun. It's natural because, despite being in Britain for thousands of years, rabbits are not native. They are native to the sunny Iberian peninsula, Spain and Portugal. As long as they have plenty of shade, clean water and food, you can let them decide for themselves when to get out of the sun. Q) MILO, my one-year-old rescue Labrador, chases his tail constantly. Is this just playfulness or is it a sign of stress? LIZ CARTER, Newcastle upon Tyne Sean says: It's something I can see a young Labrador doing, but more so out of boredom rather than stress. Tail-chasing can become compulsive, sometimes leading to problems. Dogs can use it to release endorphins, and become so obsessive about it that they bite their tail, causing physical damage. I'd ask if Milo is getting enough exercise, company and stimulation. I'd encourage a behavioural modification programme be put in place with the help of an animal behaviourist. Star of the week SWEET natured Tia was found abandoned, starving and losing her fur, but now she is learning to trust again. Birmingham Dogs Home saved the two-year-old Malinois on March 9, as Crufts Best In Show was broadcast, highlighting the stark contrast in how people care for their dogs. Fundraising Manager Rachel Frost said: 'I wish this was an isolated case but, unfortunately, we are seeing a heartbreaking rise in welfare cases this year – dogs neglected, discarded and suffering through no fault of their own.' She added: 'Tia is learning how to trust – treats really help her to feel a little braver.' See all the dogs that needing rehoming at WIN: Five £50 vouchers for Jollyes TO celebrate Jollyes' 'Big Cat Takeover' – where the pet store will be filled with cat essentials at great prices – we are giving away five £50 vouchers to spend there. Jollyes has more than 110 stores nationwide, selling pet food, treats, toys and more. To enter, send an email headed JOLLYES to sundaypets@ by May 25. See T&Cs apply. Gen Z love their dogs more than their family 4 DOGS really are our best friends, with 83 per cent of Gen Z and 73 per cent of millennials saying they love their pet more than family. The study by pet marketplace Pets4Homes also revealed that more than 80 per cent of 13 to 28-year-olds regard themselves as parents to their pets. It's a big cultural shift as only 25 per cent of baby boomers, born before 1964, reckon their animal is equal to a family member. Pets4Homes CEO Axel Lagercrantz said: 'Many pet owners rely on their pets for comfort in times of stress. 'This became even more apparent during the pandemic when there was a surge in pet adoption.' A study by Kent University economics experts agrees. Their research even puts a price on pets' impact on our wellbeing, estimating our cats and dogs to be worth up to £70,000 a year. Dr Adelina Gschwandtner, who carried out the study, says: 'This answers the question whether, overall, pet companions are good for us with a resounding yes. "Pets care for us and there is a significant monetary value associated with their companionship.' But Axel sounds a note of warning: 'It's important to remember that humans are complex and pets are unable to provide the emotional support we sometimes crave.'
